With two small kids I’m always trying to think of crafts I can do very, very quickly. I thought it might be fun to do a tutorial on how to make a tag blanket as I knew it would be something my daughter would enjoy and therefore also meaning I felt rightious in doing some sewing rather than the housework! I did the majority of this while she had a nap and (as she woke up earlier than planned, boooo), finished the last bit after she’d woken up. I think the whole thing took less than an hour which makes this not only a ‘how to make a tag blanket’ but also a ‘how to get stuff done very quickly while your kids nap’!
How To Make A Tag Blanket:
You will need: Material (mine is from docrafts), ribbon (I used about 3 x 50cm) and an empty packet of babywipes. This is optional but if you have small kids they probably go a bit crazy for the noise these make too so I thought I’d use it to make it a bit more interesting for them!
Cut open your empty baby wipe packet, this will decide how big your tag blanket will be. Obviously you could make it smaller but this shape was fine for me.
Iron your material (sorry) then cut it out to be the same shape and size. Obviously bright, bold colours are the most interesting for babies. If you are using a packet of baby wipes inside I would also be wary of avoiding anything too light as the print may show through. Place your material so the outside (patterned) bits face each other and place the wipes packet on the outside of one of these. Fold your strips of ribbon and place them so that they are between the two pattened bits with the loop on the inside of your material. You want to leave enough room for your sewing but not so much that your baby will trap their hand in it.
Pin these in place then sew all around your material, near to the edge. Lave a gap big enough so that you will be able to turn it inside out and remember to backstitch (do a few stitches in each direction) at the beginning and end of your sewing.
Turn your blanket inside out (ie so its the right way now) and push out the corners using scissors or a pencil.
Pin in the material which you previously left open and then sew all around your blanket so the edges are all finished the same. Ta-dahhhh! Go you 🙂
As an aside I would like to add that you must not under any circumstances panic if yours does not look perfect. I was really pleased with mine however as I was using vintage cotton (don’t ask) one bit got totally messed up when it decided to fray. As long as it is safe and looks cute that is fine 🙂 I know lots of people are put off sewing stuff because they worry they aren’t ‘good enough’ so I thought I would add a quick don’t panic, your baby will not judge your sewing pointer!
Do let me know if you make one of these as I love sharing other people’s makes.
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Disclaimer: I was sent this material for free from docrafts to review. I really like it and that opinion is very much my own. My daughter also loved this blanket and it convinced her to stay still while I changed her. True facts!
What a lovely tag blanket. I’ve been meaning to make one for my little one for ages. I had thought he might be a bit old for it now as he’s just turned one. But if it gets him to stay still whilst I change him I might still give it a go.
Anything that encourages them to stay still is worth a try!!
I don’t really sew (although have inherited my mum’s sewing machine so must learn), but I made one for my son almost 3 years ago. It was a bit of a botch job, and the last bit I had to hand stitch because my mini sewing machine died, but it’s brilliant. Everyone commented on it and N loves it even now. The only problem is that even after washing, the dirt and grubbiness is still ingrained.
That’s ok though, that’s a sign of love! Kids stuff is like recipe books, if it’s clean it’s no good 😉
Such a clever idea! I love to make them if I ever get a sewing machine! #pintorials
It’s reading things like this that make me wish I could sew 🙂
Aww, that’s a lovely thing to say!
These are so adorable and babies absolutely love them. I have been making them out of minky, satin, flannel . . . All kinds of fabric for a couple of years. Just a heads up! I put them on my Etsy shop and last week received a convo from a company (KIDS II) that has a patent on Taggy blankets, anything with ribbon loops for babies. Bummer 🙁 But they are so fun to make. So much for selling them! My grand babies and neighbor babies still love them.
I was so happy to see your tag blanket on “sewcanshe.com” today! I have been contemplating making one of these for my 7 month old Grandson who loves playing with tags. Your instructions are well written, you make it look so quick and easy. I never would have thought of the wipes wrapper, great idea! Thanks so much, this is just the motivation I needed!
That’s fantastic! Let me know how it goes 😀
“Pin these in place then sew all around your material, near to the edge.” –> do you sew the empty packet together with the materials,?
Yep, sew it in place otherwise when your bubba plays with it the packet will all crumple up in one area.
I love how this turned out. So cute! I’m adding “make a tag blanket” to my to-do list 🙂
I’d love to see it if you do make it!